Modeling Allee Effect from Beta(p, 2) Densities

In this work we develop and investigate generalized populational growth models, adjusted from Beta(p, 2) densities, with Allee effect. The use of a positive parameter leads the presented generalization, which yields some more flexible models with variable extinction rates. An Allee limit is incorporated so that the models under study have strong Allee effect.

Correlation modeling for a distributed scalable video codec based on the HEVC standard

The growing heterogeneity of networks, devices and consumption conditions asks for flexible and adaptive video coding solutions. The compression power of the HEVC standard and the benefits of the distributed video coding paradigm allow designing novel scalable coding solutions with improved error robustness and low encoding complexity while still achieving competitive compression efficiency. In this context, this paper proposes a novel scalable video coding scheme using a HEVC Intra compliant base layer and a distributed coding approach in the enhancement layers (EL). This design inherits the HEVC compression efficiency while providing low encoding complexity at the enhancement layers. The temporal correlation is exploited at the decoder to create the EL side information (SI) residue, an estimation of the original residue. The EL encoder sends only the data that cannot be inferred at the decoder, thus exploiting the correlation between the original and SI residues; however, this correlation must be characterized with an accurate correlation model to obtain coding efficiency improvements. Therefore, this paper proposes a correlation modeling solution to be used at both encoder and decoder, without requiring a feedback channel. Experiments results confirm that the proposed scalable coding scheme has lower encoding complexity and provides BD-Rate savings up to 3.43% in comparison with the HEVC Intra scalable extension under development. © 2014 IEEE.

The Sticky Information Macro Model: Beyond Perfect Foresight

Sticky information monetary models have been used in the macroeconomic literature to explain some of the observed features regarding inflation dynamics. In this paper, we explore the consequences of relaxing the rational expectations assumption usually taken in this type of model; in particular, by considering expectations formed through adaptive learning, it is possible to arrive to results other than the trivial convergence to a fixed point long-term equilibrium. The results involve the possibility of endogenous cyclical motion (periodic and a-periodic), which emerges essentially in scenarios of hyperinflation. In low inflation settings, the introduction of learning implies a less severe impact of monetary shocks that, nevertheless, tend to last for additional time periods relative to the pure perfect foresight setup.

Identification of tsunami-induced deposits using numerical modeling and rock magnetism techniques: A study case of the 1755 Lisbon tsunami in Algarve, Portugal

Storm- and tsunami-deposits are generated by similar depositional mechanisms making their discrimination hard to establish using classic sedimentologic methods. Here we propose an original approach to identify tsunami-induced deposits by combining numerical simulation and rock magnetism. To test our method, we investigate the tsunami deposit of the Boca do Rio estuary generated by the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon which is well described in the literature. We first test the 1755 tsunami scenario using a numerical inundation model to provide physical parameters for the tsunami wave. Then we use concentration (MS. SIRM) and grain size (chi(ARM), ARM, B1/2, ARM/SIRM) sensitive magnetic proxies coupled with SEM microscopy to unravel the magnetic mineralogy of the tsunami-induced deposit and its associated depositional mechanisms. In order to study the connection between the tsunami deposit and the different sedimentologic units present in the estuary, magnetic data were processed by multivariate statistical analyses. Our numerical simulation show a large inundation of the estuary with flow depths varying from 0.5 to 6 m and run up of similar to 7 m. Magnetic data show a dominance of paramagnetic minerals (quartz) mixed with lesser amount of ferromagnetic minerals, namely titanomagnetite and titanohematite both of a detrital origin and reworked from the underlying units. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate a better connection between the tsunami-induced deposit and a mixture of Units C and D. All these results point to a scenario where the energy released by the tsunami wave was strong enough to overtop and erode important amount of sand from the littoral dune and mixed it with reworked materials from underlying layers at least 1 m in depth. The method tested here represents an original and promising tool to identify tsunami-induced deposits in similar embayed beach environments.

Compression Efficiency Analysis of Wyner-Ziv Video Coding with Motion Compensated Side Information Interpolation

The Wyner-Ziv video coding (WZVC) rate distortion performance is highly dependent on the quality of the side information, an estimation of the original frame, created at the decoder. This paper, characterizes the WZVC efficiency when motion compensated frame interpolation (MCFI) techniques are used to generate the side information, a difficult problem in WZVC especially because the decoder only has available some reference decoded frames. The proposed WZVC compression efficiency rate model relates the power spectral of the estimation error to the accuracy of the MCFI motion field. Then, some interesting conclusions may be derived related to the impact of the motion field smoothness and the correlation to the true motion trajectories on the compression performance.

Improving a Cluster Based Directional Channel Model in Realistic Macro-Cell Environment

In this paper a realistic directional channel model that is an extension of the COST 273 channel model is presented. The model uses a cluster of scatterers and visibility region generation based strategy with increased realism, due to the introduction of terrain and clutter information. New approaches for path-loss prediction and line of sight modeling are considered, affecting the cluster path gain model implementation. The new model was implemented using terrain, clutter, street and user mobility information for the city of Lisbon, Portugal. Some of the model's outputs are presented, mainly path loss and small/large-scale fading statistics.

A flexible side information generation framework for distributed video coding

One of the most efficient approaches to generate the side information (SI) in distributed video codecs is through motion compensated frame interpolation where the current frame is estimated based on past and future reference frames. However, this approach leads to significant spatial and temporal variations in the correlation noise between the source at the encoder and the SI at the decoder. In such scenario, it would be useful to design an architecture where the SI can be more robustly generated at the block level, avoiding the creation of SI frame regions with lower correlation, largely responsible for some coding efficiency losses. In this paper, a flexible framework to generate SI at the block level in two modes is presented: while the first mode corresponds to a motion compensated interpolation (MCI) technique, the second mode corresponds to a motion compensated quality enhancement (MCQE) technique where a low quality Intra block sent by the encoder is used to generate the SI by doing motion estimation with the help of the reference frames. The novel MCQE mode can be overall advantageous from the rate-distortion point of view, even if some rate has to be invested in the low quality Intra coding blocks, for blocks where the MCI produces SI with lower correlation. The overall solution is evaluated in terms of RD performance with improvements up to 2 dB, especially for high motion video sequences and long Group of Pictures (GOP) sizes.

Modeling, control and simulation of full-power converter wind turbines equipped with permanent magnet synchronous generator

In this paper, two wind turbines equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) and respectively with a two-level or a multilevel converter are simulated in order to access the malfunction transient performance. Three different drive train mass models, respectively, one, two and three mass models, are considered in order to model the bending flexibility of the blades. Moreover, a fractional-order control strategy is studied comparatively to a classical integer-order control strategy. Computer simulations are carried out, and conclusions about the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the electric current injected into the electric grid are in favor of the fractional-order control strategy.

Power converter topologies for wind energy conversion systems: Integrated modeling, control strategy and performance simulation

This paper presents new integrated model for variable-speed wind energy conversion systems, considering a more accurate dynamic of the wind turbine, rotor, generator, power converter and filter. Pulse width modulation by space vector modulation associated with sliding mode is used for controlling the power converters. Also, power factor control is introduced at the output of the power converters. Comprehensive performance simulation studies are carried out with matrix, two-level and multilevel power converter topologies in order to adequately assert the system performance. Conclusions are duly drawn.

Aplicação de ferramentas de simulação de processos

Este trabalho foi efectuado com o propósito de interpretar, compreender e explicar algumas ferramentas de simulação de processos, em particular o Aspen Energy Analyzer (AEA), o Aspen Economic Evaluation (AEE) e o seu funcionamento integrado com o Aspen Hysys(AH). O AH é uma ferramenta de modelação de processos para a concepção de projectos de engenharia química, o AEA é uma ferramenta de modelação de redes de integração energética. O AEE integrado no AH é uma ferramenta que permite incorporar estudos económicos numa fase preliminar do desenvolvimento de um projecto de engenharia. A abordagem a este trabalho foi efectuada através do estudo de Casos. O Caso I foi baseado na resolução de um problema no AEA através da construção e optimização de uma rede de permutadores de calor. Os Casos II e III foram baseados na construção de um flowsheet de produção de Benzeno e de Cloreto de Vinil, respectivamente, e cada Caso foi dividido em dois cenários diferentes. Para o efeito foram utilizados os softwares AEA para a integração energética dos processos, o AH para construção do fluxograma do processo e o AEE para os estudos económicos dos diferentes cenários. Finalmente, os Casos IV e V dizem respeito à resolução de um problema de integração energética. O Caso IV foi baseado num problema de optimização da rede de permutadores através do aumento da sua área. Já o Caso V foi baseado na informação inicial das correntes do caso anterior e em dois cenários diferentes, nos quais foi estudada a influência dos preços das utilidades na construção da rede de permutadores. A conclusão foi que as ferramentas de modelação, particularmente o AH, o AEA e o AEE são uma mais-valia extraordinária para ajudar o utilizador na tomada de decisões em fases bastante preliminares da engenharia de processos.

Identification of tsunami-induced deposits using numerical modeling and rock magnetism techniques: A study case of the 1755 Lisbon tsunami in Algarve, Portugal

Storm- and tsunami-deposits are generated by similar depositional mechanisms making their discrimination hard to establish using classic sedimentologic methods. Here we propose an original approach to identify tsunami-induced deposits by combining numerical simulation and rock magnetism. To test our method, we investigate the tsunami deposit of the Boca do Rio estuary generated by the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon which is well described in the literature. We first test the 1755 tsunami scenario using a numerical inundation model to provide physical parameters for the tsunami wave. Then we use concentration (MS. SIRM) and grain size (chi(ARM), ARM, B1/2, ARM/SIRM) sensitive magnetic proxies coupled with SEM microscopy to unravel the magnetic mineralogy of the tsunami-induced deposit and its associated depositional mechanisms. In order to study the connection between the tsunami deposit and the different sedimentologic units present in the estuary, magnetic data were processed by multivariate statistical analyses. Our numerical simulation show a large inundation of the estuary with flow depths varying from 0.5 to 6 m and run up of similar to 7 m. Magnetic data show a dominance of paramagnetic minerals (quartz) mixed with lesser amount of ferromagnetic minerals, namely titanomagnetite and titanohematite both of a detrital origin and reworked from the underlying units. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate a better connection between the tsunami-induced deposit and a mixture of Units C and D. All these results point to a scenario where the energy released by the tsunami wave was strong enough to overtop and erode important amount of sand from the littoral dune and mixed it with reworked materials from underlying layers at least 1 m in depth. The method tested here represents an original and promising tool to identify tsunami-induced deposits in similar embayed beach environments.

The source of the 1722 Algarve earthquake: evidence from MCS and tsunami data

The 27 December 1722 Algarve earthquake destroyed a large area in southern Portugal generating a local tsunami that inundated the shallow areas of Tavira. It is unclear whether its source was located onshore or offshore and, in any case, what was the tectonic source responsible for the event. We analyze available historical information concerning macroseismicity and the tsunami to discuss the most probable location of the source. We also review available seismotectonic knowledge of the offshore region close to the probable epicenter, selecting a set of four candidate sources. We simulate tsunamis produced by these candidate sources assuming that the sea bottom displacement is caused by a compressive dislocation over a rectangular fault, as given by the half-space homogeneous elastic approach, and we use numerical modeling to study wave propagation and run-up. We conclude that the 27 December 1722 Tavira earthquake and tsunami was probably generated offshore, close to 37 degrees 01'N, 7 degrees 49'W.

Advanced side information creation techniques and framework for Wyner-Ziv video coding

Recently, several distributed video coding (DVC) solutions based on the distributed source coding (DSC) paradigm have appeared in the literature. Wyner-Ziv (WZ) video coding, a particular case of DVC where side information is made available at the decoder, enable to achieve a flexible distribution of the computational complexity between the encoder and decoder, promising to fulfill novel requirements from applications such as video surveillance, sensor networks and mobile camera phones. The quality of the side information at the decoder has a critical role in determining the WZ video coding rate-distortion (RD) performance, notably to raise it to a level as close as possible to the RD performance of standard predictive video coding schemes. Towards this target, efficient motion search algorithms for powerful frame interpolation are much needed at the decoder. In this paper, the RD performance of a Wyner-Ziv video codec is improved by using novel, advanced motion compensated frame interpolation techniques to generate the side information. The development of these type of side information estimators is a difficult problem in WZ video coding, especially because the decoder only has available some reference, decoded frames. Based on the regularization of the motion field, novel side information creation techniques are proposed in this paper along with a new frame interpolation framework able to generate higher quality side information at the decoder. To illustrate the RD performance improvements, this novel side information creation framework has been integrated in a transform domain turbo coding based Wyner-Ziv video codec. Experimental results show that the novel side information creation solution leads to better RD performance than available state-of-the-art side information estimators, with improvements up to 2 dB: moreover, it allows outperforming H.264/AVC Intra by up to 3 dB with a lower encoding complexity.

Mathematical modeling of pressurized system behaviour with entrapped air

The presence of entrapped air in pressurized hydraulic systems is considered a critical condition for the infrastructure security, due to the transient pressure enhancement related with its dynamic behaviour, similar to non-linear spring action. A mathematical model for the assessment of hydraulic transients resulting from rapid pressurizations, under referred condition is presented. Water movement was modeled through the elastic column theory considering a moving liquid boundary and the entrapped air pocket as lumped gas mass, where the acoustic effects are negligible. The method of characteristics was used to obtain the numerical solution of the liquid flow. The resulting model is applied to an experimental set-up having entrapped air in the top of a vertical pipe section and the numerical results are analyzed.

Information and investor behavior surrounding earnings announcements

Preliminary version